KHR Hell because fuck

[warmskies]

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[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?

[kokuyoyo]

[With its sad size, there's no reason for him to really follow after. He could likely hear the demon from his room just as well as anywhere else. Despite this fact, Chikusa finds himself getting swept up in his trail, following slowly after him.]

[The accusation draws out a sharp grimace.]

Being curious isn't the same thing as wanting to fall into sin.

[possedere]

Tea?

[Mukuro glanced over his shoulder, one eyebrow raised.

He couldn't help but smirk at the tiny justifications and distinctions Chikusa Kakimoto was trying to make. In the end, it wouldn't be able to help him, only keep him up at night. Perhaps Mukuro could give him more food for thought, but only after needling him a bit.]

If you could go anywhere, where would you want to go?

[kokuyoyo]

[Tea again... Well. The first time didn't do anything horrible to him, besides what conversing with the demon does by default. Chikusa nods, drifting over to wait on the other side of the counter.]

[If he could go anywhere... Lacing his fingers together, he rests his arms on the counter.]

Heaven?

[A dry response, not meant to be taken seriously. Letting his eyes close, he tries to think. It's not something he's ever thought of before. After all the moving he'd had to do as a child, one foster home to the next, he'd clung to any sense of stability he could get. Leaving for any reason hasn't occurred to him before.]

...Germany, I think. Why?

[They're running from the original point, but Chikusa supposes it's to be expected. The last few conversations went more smoothly than he expected, even with the barbs and unpleasant truths.]

[possedere]

[That closing of distance between them was going to be taken as a 'yes', and Mukuro would start another cup for the priest. The first answer was met with a small snort, as he eyed the man with an amused look, clearly not buying it. While he would expect such an answer from a man of faith, it didn't seem as if Chikusa Kakimoto was actually serious, for once. Well, a sense of humor was always welcome when dealing with demons.

The actual answer, was met with interest, Mukuro turning to slide the priest's drink over the counter to him, bringing the sugar bowl and his own tea to stand opposite of him, mindful of the distance. For now, anyway.]

Just curious. It's not a sin, is it? [Mukuro shot him a small wink, before stirring in a large amount of sugar into his tea.] Why Germany?

[kokuyoyo]

It's not a sin, but a demon's curiosity seems like a troublesome thing to draw.

[Certainly, if that part is a kernel of truth in all the lies Mukuro spews, then he's being proven right there.]

[Raising the cup to his mouth, he starts to blow on it lightly. Can he really get hurt by a small burn in what's obviously some sort of dream? Just one more question he's not sure he'll ever get the answer to. For now, it doesn't hurt to go with old habits.]

I'd ask if you've ever heard of the Black Forest, but it's an asinine question. [He shrugs, sipping at this tea.] I don't think I'd mind seeing it.

[possedere]

Yet here we are. I honored our agreement, and still you've called me back.

[Mukuro leaned forward, mouth curving upward almost cruelly. He hadn't wanted to bring it up at all, still wary of the tenuous connection between the two of them, but nor was he going to allow Chikusa to delusion himself. That would be counter productive.

He leaned back at the mention of the Black Forest, humming thoughtfully.]

Perhaps next time. [Then, idly taking a drink:] For a fan of nature, you rarely seem to go out into it.

[kokuyoyo]

[Only a few words, but they're a knife sliding through his ribcage.]

[Chikusa looks away, jaw clenched. How can he deny it? That's the truth. The first time in exchange for his mentor, the second in exchange for an answer. This is the third, but there'd been no need to call Mukuro again. There's no need for him to have done this. He could have moved on. He's making steps to fill his life, isn't he? So why did he do this?]

[The answer isn't clear to him. Maybe because he's scared of acknowledging it.]

I know.

[It's not clear what it's in response to- the first statement or the second. Either way, Chikusa keeps going.]

I've wanted to stay in the city. You're a demon- surely you've seen conflicting desires before.

[possedere]

[There it was. That conflict splayed out across the priest's face, while probably barely noticeable to mortals, was as bright as a neon light to Mukuro. He resisted the urge to lean forward, to drink it in, to swallow it in and feel it slide down his throat, smooth as honey. He can practically taste how close Chikusa Kakimoto was to him, how close he was to falling to depravity, and the sweet cloying meatiness of it made Mukuro impatient to taste more.

But instead he just wound his hands around the mug of tea, drinking in that expression. It would be enough for now.]

What would the rest of your clergy say if they knew? What would your mentor think?

[Oops, guess he couldn't resist twisting the knife a little further.

The question was barely worth answering, Mukuro flicking his bangs from his face in disinterest.]

It's not solely a demonic trait, I hope you're aware. It's a very human emotion.

[kokuyoyo]

[What would they say? What would they think? Chikusa doesn't know, but he can imagine the looks they would give him. There would be no need to hide anything from him then, no need to fake politeness and civility. Merely thinking about it has his fingers tighten around his mug, and his head bows further.]

[He'd be excommunicated. Surely.]

[It's a horrifying idea. Certainly, his life might be hollow, he might be shunned, but he's still part of something. There's still that community. Without it, without his faith, he's...]

[What is he?]

[Chikusa doesn't answer. Fortunately, Mukuro doesn't press.]

Being contradicting or having desires?

[possedere]

Both.

[Never let it be said that Mukuro couldn't be gentle, letting the other topic go away without another word of comment. It seemed like Chikusa Kakimoto knew the consequences well, but the question was whether that would be enough to stop him and his budding curiosity or if it wouldn't. Mukuro in the mean time would be dying to see the outcome.

But he would put up with the small talk for now, since the priest seemed so keen on it.]

I have known humans who are outwardly meek and gentle, but when pushed are worse than any demon. I have known humans who only seek money and fame, and do not care about the consequences afterward. I have met humans who would almost restore my faith. [A quiet, contemplative pause, his mouth turning down.] But they all meet the same ends and they all suffer in their own ways.