KHR Hell because fuck

[warmskies]

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[possedere]

What is your definition? Feel free to be as elaborate as you wish.

[Mukuro leaned back in his chair, taking up his own mug again, eyes latched onto Chikusa Kakimoto's face.]

[kokuyoyo]

A surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.

[Did he just blandly quote the dictionary? Absolutely. It's more to see if he can annoy the demon, however, than a serious answer. That comes after he's had another sip of tea, glancing up to meet those eyes.]

...But, for me, it's when humans accomplish something beyond their ability. Beyond their station. I witness those miracles every time I perform an exorcism.

[possedere]

[One of these days, Mukuro was going to hit Chikusa Kakimoto upside the head with a dictionary, presumably after he tore out the page that had the definition of 'smart ass' on it and chucked it at him repeatedly. Because who said demons had to be mature beings full of poise? No one.

He did scoff slightly, but otherwise kept quiet.

As for the personal definition of miracles, Mukuro didn't look too impressed.]

You've never considered you were the exception and not the rule?

[kokuyoyo]

No.

[And with that, he finishes his tea. The mug gets left on the counter, because, despite its appearances, it's not really his house. It's a fake. So it's not his problem if a mug is left out on a table. Pushing himself up, he raises an eyebrow down at the demon.]

You like asking questions with obvious answers we both know, don't you?

[possedere]

What would it take for you to consider it?

[Mukuro looked up at the priest from underneath his lashes, smirk wide and wicked.]

My dear priest, I merely enjoy forcing you to look at what you've shied away from so long. If it means I have to be repetitive and blunt, I will do so without restraint. [It wasn't like Chikusa Kakimoto was the most difficult customer he had on his plate, but the one who held his attention the most at the moment.] Or would you prefer flirting?

[kokuyoyo]

What reason is there for me to consider it? I know that can't be true. I'm not the first priest to successfully exorcise a demon and I'm not the last. [Crossing his arms, unimpressed, he frowns.] I'm not going to believe in that kind of blatant lie.

[And yes, he's well aware of Mukuro's opinion on what lies he will believe in. More theological arguments.]

[Then again, it's better than the alternative, and Chikusa puts on his most disinterested expression.]

Why do you always return to that?

[possedere]

Not many have ever been able to do so as often as you have, or with demons as strong as you have driven out.

[Still, he would leave it for now if Chikusa Kakimoto was not going to budge ( for now ) on his thinking. Instead, he was far more interested in the other topic, chuckling softly as he finished off his tea.]

It's amusing. Has no one ever done so with you before?

[Most likely not, considering the priest's occupation, disposition, and reaction.

As much as he would like to tease him more, it would be time to leave soon. Even though the young priest seemed to be fine with treating this place with disregard, a bit biting considering how much effort Mukuro had put into it, he stood up to go wash out both of their cups.]

I suppose the answer is obvious enough. I'll leave you to your rest, Chikusa Kakimoto.

[kokuyoyo]

[One of these days, he's going to try blessing water in one of those dreams, just to see if he can throw some in that demon's face again.]

[For now, however, just like the time before, he wakes up and rolls right back onto his face to escape the sun and chase after the conversations he remembers having. They're still crystal clear, thankfully, and he goes over them a few times in his head before deciding on something. Instead of immediately going about his usual routine, he goes to his shelf and takes out one of the empty sketchbooks. There, in detail, he writes down everything about the dream.]

[Especially the part about demons and humans.]

[After that, well... What more can he do? The schedule of his life awaits. This time, however, he.... tries. To change. He goes through the clothes in his closet and picks out those that don't fit or have holes in them to be donated later, finds new ones. He upgrades his old laptop that seems relieved to be put out of its misery. He goes for walks instead of hiding in his apartment.]

[It's not helping. There's still something he's not understanding. He does his best to remind himself that these things take time, and adds it into his prayers.]

[He'll be fine. He tries to tell himself this, and does his best not to think of the demon anymore. There's no reason for him to call out to that creature again. The first time, after all, was in exchange for his mentor. The second to learn the answer to a question.]

[...The apartment is always so empty when he returns to it.]

[It's been over a week since that last dream, nearing two in fact, when Chikusa finally pauses to stare at book he'd first written Mukuro's name in. The original page, he had made sure to cleanse and burn and be rid of it. Just in case. But...]

[Curiosity- and nothing else he tells himself, willing it to be true- has him try it again. A single written name in a blank page. Mukuro.]

[possedere]

[There have been ages when time has passed so quickly for Mukuro he could scarcely believe it had been decades when he had finally come out of his stupor. So really, two weeks should not have dragged slower than any eon that he had experienced before, a delicious kind of torture that he had only enjoyed for its novelty but then had quickly grown tired of wading through it.

It was a gamble, after all. He had known that better than anyone. He had kept a close eye on the priest, had watched him make minute changes in his life, but each journey was started with a single small step. Would it be enough for Chikusa Kakimoto to finally start living in the world as a regular mortal? He hoped not, but in those tremulous two weeks, he would not have made a bet. He didn't believe in doing so when he wasn't sure he was going to win.

To try to pass the time, he had gone back to his other toys, and while they could be amusing for a fashion, his interest in them had faded sharply. Even as he was teasing and beguiling and seducing them, he wondered what his young priest was up to. It was vexing, but even if he couldn't tell the outcome, he could believe in his work and charm.

That being said, when he finally felt the whisper chill of the name he had given Chikusa Kakimoto slide down his spine, he felt a perverse moment where he wouldn't come to him. To be left for two weeks with nothing, well. Mukuro supposed he had done worst, and he would take it for the victory it was. The priest was stubborn after all, and more devout than he had previously given him credit for.

This time he was going to be poking through Chikusa Kakimoto's closet, trying on a few of the hats when he awoke.]

You should wear these more often. Especially the one with the fuzz on the top.

[kokuyoyo]

['Waking up' to someone in his room is disorienting and... more invasive than Chikusa would have thought. It throws him off balance for a moment, to see him simply right there and talking with him. He jerks up, head swimming, and needs a moment before he can even recognize the words being spoken to him.]

What...? Why are you trying to give me fashion advice?

[It's not exactly riveting conversation, no, he knows that. Still, he's trying to recover, fingers curled in his hair and his other hand digging into the sheet.]

[possedere]

[It may be rude to laugh at Chikusa Kakimoto's disorientation, but Mukuro never thought or believed he was a good person. It was amusing that he was so surprised to see him there considering he had summoned him, but considering Mukuro had thought about not coming at all, he supposed he could give the young priest some leniency.

He crossed the distance between them, holding out the hat in question, smile guileless.]

You complain when I talk about philosophy and theology, and now fashion as well? Here I was just admiring the steps you were taking to change.

[kokuyoyo]

I wasn't complaining...

[At least, not yet. That's liable to change at any moment.]

[But that's not what's on his mind as Mukuro comes closer. Without thinking, his body curls in on itself a little more, and his lips thin uncertaintly. This isn't tea at a table, or conversing across a counter space. Here, in his bed still, the demon standing taller than him, it's...]

[Vulnerable.]

[Cautiously, he accepts the hat.]

Why would you admire it?

[possedere]

You do a good impression then.

[It was said carelessly, only a hint of mocking and teasing, his eyes sharpening slightly at the sight of Chikusa Kakimoto curling away from him. He would be lying if some part of himself wasn't thrilled at how powerless such a strong priest was before him. That a man who had driven out a number of demons shied away from him and him alone was intoxicating, that Mukuro had to do little but close the distance between them and instictively his young priest knew to shy away.

Yet, that wasn't the sort of reaction he was striving for, so after Chikusa Kakimoto accepted the hat, Mukuro turned away from him, taking a seat at the other man's desk, mouth curling upward in amusement.]

It suits you more than the others.

[kokuyoyo]

[Ease slips a bit more into his body again as Mukuro leaves him, the vice that had seemingly been around his lungs relaxing so that he can breathe once more. Pushing the sheets away from his legs, he straightens up and feels more secure with his feet against the floor.]

[That's better.]

...I didn't think you'd be so pleased at my attempts to change things in my life.

[possedere]

[It's just his damn cosplay kink Chikusa don't fall for it.

Mukuro let out a soft chuckle, poking through the young priest's sketchbooks with interest, before settling on the one where his name was being written. He traced his fingers thoughtfully over the crisp handwriting, eyes half-lidded. For a moment, he was blissfully silent, as if he wasn't going to answer, but then he spoke:]

If those changes will make you happy, of course it would please me. That's been my goal from the beginning.

[More or less. Then, because he was sure that wouldn't sit well and would be called 'lies' as well, Mukuro looked up at him, smirking slightly.]

And it means you've been considering my words.

[kokuyoyo]

[He hasn't gone onto that part of the internet yet, God help his poor soul but he is innocent to this kink's existence and Mukuro's blatant love of it]

[Already, Mukuro knows him so well. Chikusa's mouth is right in the middle of opening when the demon looks up and gives his small addition, making the priest shut it tight again. It's true. He has been considering them, and the facts that have held it sturdy. For all his faith, his actual life is hollow, unfilled.]

[Admitting that so easily feels like a loss.]

...It's simply clothing. Is that really something you're so interested in?

[possedere]

[Are you telling me he was going to do so soon or what. Either way, RIP Chikusa.

If Mukuro had been more prone to dramatics ( he was, but reeling in a wary person was a delicate art ), he would have laughed hysterically that it was 'simply' clothing, but as it stood, he'd let it pass with a few chuckles.]

They say clothing makes the man. It was interesting to see who you would chose to be.

[Mukuro shifted in the chair so he could drape his arms over the back of it, resting his chin on them as he smirked at the young priest.]

You can be surprisingly fanciful and adorable, Chikusa Kakimoto.

[kokuyoyo]

[...What.]

[All he manages for a moment at that last comment is a slow blink, obviously bewildered at the... compliment? Then it's a purse of his lips, his eyes narrowing, and Chikusa tilts his head to the side as if scrutinizing the answers on a test. A brief second happens where it almost looks like he's going to talk.... But, no, nevermind.]

[He already knows the answer to the question "Are you mocking me", and it's "absolutely".]

[Finally, he finds the appropriate words.]

In what way?

[possedere]

[Mukuro can go back to the shameless sexual innuendos if those would go over better, though he was enjoying Chikusa Kakimoto's reactions to rather weak compliments, in his book.

He turned his gaze back to the hat, still not in its proper place on the young priest's head, sizing it up for a moment.]

That style is mostly worn by youths. Once humans are out of their teenage years, I rarely see them wearing hats like that. Not to mention I would have thought you would have just bought one that was functional, with no extra decorations.

[He gestured vaguely to the little puff on the top of the hat, sliding his gaze back up to Chikusa Kakimoto's face, mistmatched stare intent.]

Fanciful. Adorable.

[Though considering the fashion crime that Mukuro was wearing ( but still wearing well he would argue ), he was the last person who should be able to comment on clothing.]

[kokuyoyo]

[Well... Chikusa shifts back, averting his gaze. He can't deny it's... silly? Immature? He's an adult and should stick to more practical things. Who is he going to wear them for, anyway? Why?]

I like the designs. That's all.

[Getting up, he starts to move for his closet.]

Why do you always choose my apartment for our meetings?

[possedere]

You're not trying to recapture the happiness and peace of your youth?

[It was a needling question, one Mukuro didn't expect to be answered nor did he much care for it, but he wouldn't be a demon if he was kind the whole time. He might break out into boils, and wouldn't that be unpleasant?

He merely tracked the priest's movements with his eyes, showing no other outward sign of reaction.]

Don't you like your apartment? [Soft and mockingly.] I could take you other places, if you have requests.

[kokuyoyo]

[It'd only be unpleasant for one of them, and that one isn't Chikusa. He casts a narrow eyed look back at him. As Mukuro correctly guessed, he refuses to answer. Instead, he focuses on putting that hat away, even though he knows that his eyes are always going to be drawn to it from now on even in his waking hours.]

It's suitable enough for me. [Half a lie. He knows how much he's been running from it and what its emptiness represents. But it's still fine for what he has.] I'm not going to sell my soul for a bit of change when it comes to scenery that's not even real.

...And that doesn't answer my question.

[possedere]

[What a truly saddening turn of events. Mukuro's mouth pulled down into a frown as Chikusa Kakimoto put the hat away, and he leaned back in his chair, sighing softly. How stubborn he was, this little priest, but it would make having him be seduced to his way of thought all the more rewarding.]

Then what would you sell it for? Some idle conversation? To learn more about demons? [He leaned forward again in his chair, lashes lowered.] To find happiness?

[Seeing as how Mukuro had been telling more of the truth than he would have liked, he only chuckled dismissively, tilting his head to the side.]

Does it matter? Aren't all demons liars and every word I tell you suspect? Besides, [He paused meaningfully, smirk widening.] you wouldn't like the answer.

[kokuyoyo]

[Happiness.]

[No hollow apartment. No bitter taste on the back of his tongue whenever he looks at other people actually living their lives. No suffocating under his own loneliness.]

[Chikusa takes in a deep breath and takes his finger away from where its been lingering on the hat.]

I'll find happiness on my own.

[But the way it's said softly, his back still to the demon, makes it seem like he's trying to tell himself that more than anything.]

[Stepping away, he looks back to him and frowns, not sure how to take that.]

Whether or not I would like an answer has never stopped you before. What makes this different?

[possedere]

[At that weak retort, Mukuro couldn't help but chuckle, standing up from the chair to breeze past Chikusa Kakimoto and head back into the kitchen. Today he felt like having something far more rich than plain lemon tea, putting the kettle on as he went through the shelves, finding boxes of tea that he knew weren't there in reality. Jasmine tea with flowers sounded like what he was in the mood for...

He thrummed his fingers easily against the counter, answering a question with a question.]

What makes you so interested in the answer to this, Chikusa Kakimoto? Are you starting to find a taste for things you thought you previously didn't like?