KHR Hell because fuck

[warmskies]

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[possedere]

[There was no point in trying to stop himself from chuckling. While it was adorable, Chikusa's first steps into conversation, the reason he was like this was because he had Ken and Mukuro (and occasionally M.M. or Fran) to speak for him when necessary. It wasn't a failing on Chikusa, but of Mukuro's.

Idly, he typed out a quick reply. There would be no real wait period in an actual conversation after all:]

It's only natural dirt would be outside. Like many unfavorable things, it's easier to accept than get irritated by it.

[Mukuro wouldn't give him the crutch of a question, instead, waiting in bemusement to see what Chikusa had to say.]

[kokuyoyo]

[A year ago, he wouldn't have considered it a failing at all. Unfortunately, to his annoyance, recent events have had to put this view into being reconsidered. Chikusa doesn't like it.]

[The fact that things are rapidly being hit back to him doesn't escape his notice. It's more than a little uncomfortable.]

No.

[...He should have taken longer and written more, but it's too late for that now. Chikusa adjusts his glasses, and quietly strangles any thoughts about doing much else that would betray how annoyed he is at himself.]

[possedere]

[It's rare for Chikusa to voice any disagreement, and for a moment Mukuro was just going to look at the screen, torn between amusement and concern. Perhaps he had pushed too far? Unfortunately it wasn't in his nature to be soft or to coddle anyone.]

No? What do you do when something irritates you?

[kokuyoyo]

[This time, he feels more prepared. The reply is still carefully written out, but it doesn't take ten minutes to be sent off.]

It depends on what it is. Sometimes I just wait for things to pass.

[possedere]

[Oh good job Chikusa, Mukuro was very proud of you. The response was near instant:]

What if it doesn't pass?

[kokuyoyo]

[Another one beneath the ten minute mark. He's starting to find his stride, he thinks. Sort of, at any rate.]

Then I get rid of it, if I can.

We're talking a lot about me. Your profile says you swim.

[It's a bit of an abrupt topic change, but making smooth transitions in conversation is... still something he has to work on.]

[possedere]

[A sloppy transition if there was any, but Mukuro would let it slide for now.]

I find most people like to talk about themselves.

But that is correct. I just recently formed a swim team with some friends, and I am enjoying it so far. Do you participate in any sports?

[kokuyoyo]

I have different hobbies. Why swimming?

[possedere]

Like what?

It's soothing, being in the water. It's just me, my thoughts, and my own actions I have to account for. Everything else sort of washes away.

[Mukuro would wait a few moments to let that first message sink in, before lazily adding:]

If that makes any sense. It's strange, I'm sorry.

[kokuyoyo]

[It's a good thing it takes a while for Chikusa to respond, because it's right in the middle of typing his own reply that his inbox flashes again and he reads the new addition. It's taken into consideration... even if that means for a moment all he does is stare at it.]

[What. Does he do with this.]

[The result is that it takes fourteen minutes to send out a reply. And he was almost doing well, too.]

Needlework.

There's no need to apologize to me. Would it matter if I understood or not?

[possedere]

[Everyone believed in you, Chikusa. Still, the response was humorous enough, almost worth the wait. Mukuro may have cackled for a good minute after he read 'needlework' but Fran was the only one who would have known for sure and he was busy fighting off illusions.]

Why needlework?

It does matter. It helps people feel connected if you can share similar experiences.

[kokuyoyo]

[He was prepared for a question to that, at least, so soon enough he seems to awkwardly get back to just barely under the ten minute mark. He's trying so hard, he really is.]

It takes a lot of concentration and keeps my hands busy. If you don't have a good eye, you'll ruin what you set out to accomplish or even hurt yourself.

If I didn't understand, would you not enjoy swimming as much?

[possedere]

[Good job Chikusa they were all rooting for you. As a reward, Mukuro was going to take a bit more time with this response in order to let Chikusa compose himself.]

It sounds interesting when you put it that way. Do you have pictures of anything you've made?

It wouldn't affect me, but most people like to believe that they have shared experiences with others. Common ground is where most people create friendships.

[kokuyoyo]

[Thank god for breathing time.]

No.

I see. I don't think I've experienced that kind of feeling in the same way you have, however.

[possedere]

[Never let it be said that Mukuro wasn't merciful at times.]

Have you felt anything similar?

[kokuyoyo]

Yes. There's someone important to me.

[That's... all that's written. Chikusa isn't really sure how to explain things here.]

[possedere]

[It was difficult not to crow in victory, but somehow Mukuro managed. Somehow. It was a good thing his sharp smirk wasn't visible to the other boy, and he took a few minutes to compose himself.]

What are they like?

[kokuyoyo]

[tmw you're unknowingly indulging in your leader/friend/fuckbuddy's vanity...]

Clever. Willful. They know what they want and get it. Charismatic, although I'll admit I am biased. There are some flaws, but that doesn't change how I feel.

[The petty things that set off his temper... But Chikusa likes to think that's one of his uses, holding back the others in the group from letting their tempers be too influential.]

[possedere]

[Like Chikusa wouldn't say these things if Mukuro asked this face to face. He nearly preened at the praise, especially since Chikusa knew him better than most. While he could have done without 'there are some flaws', Mukuro was set at ease at the same time by the 'doesn't change how I feel'. He was well aware there were many actions he took that the others didn't approve of, but he supposed if he wanted mindless followers, he would have found them by now.

He let the response sit for a few minutes, pleased, before replying:]

Those emotions sound pretty deep. Is this part of the reason why you're hesitant to act on your developing feelings?

[kokuyoyo]

Yes.

[And then, hastily sent after a minute later-]

I don't want these feelings to get in the way of anything.

[possedere]

[Chikusa, how adorable. Mukuro valued that loyalty immensely, but it didn't mean he wasn't going to test it from time to time. He waited a few minutes just in case another message was going to come through before replying.]

I'm sure if you are as important to this person as they are to you, they will be understanding. Sometimes exploring other options will help you realize how good you have it or what you might need to change.

[kokuyoyo]

[A period of silence passes by that definitely breaches the ten minute mark, but this time it's not because Chikusa doesn't know what to say. It's more a sign that he's thinking deeply on what's just been said to him.]

I already know how good I have it. The things that could be changed are minor complaints.

Besides, I'm not sure how a relationship with someone would offer much insight into it. It's two different situations.

[...But that's because his complaints are more practical in nature than anything else.]

[possedere]

[That long bout of silence was hard to gauge on Mukuro's end, but he'd chalk it up to Chikusa processing his thoughts and reactions as always. It didn't make the wait any less annoying, and he would be sure to take it out on Fran for a bit.

As such, his response will be a bit delayed once he does realize he had a notification, frowning at the screen slightly in seeing Chikusa's response. Time to shake things up a bit then.]

My apologies, I misunderstood. I thought they were someone important, but not that you were in a relationship with them.

In any case, I would still suggest talking to the clerk. Repeated face-to-face interactions might help lesson those feelings as your impressions would become more grounded in reality.

[kokuyoyo]

['Relationship'? An interesting way to put it. Chikusa wouldn't describe it as such but then... He's never had to describe it. Ken's feelings are much the same, he's pretty sure M.M. subscribes to the "doesn't give a shit" line of thought, and Chrome... has similar but not exactly the same feelings. There's no need to describe it to each other. They all already know.]

[...And, he decides, there's no reason for a complete stranger on the internet to know anything about it besides the basics he's already told.]

[Congrats, "Maru", that first part is getting completely ignored.]

That advice still seems sound. I think I'm more prepared for conversations so thank you for that help.

[Probably more prepared, anyway. At least he can bullshit appropriately. New life skill acquired.]

[possedere]

[Well, Chikusa wouldn't be a trusted member of the K-Gang if he spilled his guts on the internet to the first stranger who asked questions. A lack of reaction was a reaction from Chikusa, and Mukuro was going to count it as a victory.]

You're more than welcome. I hope it goes well.