Work Text:
The rain hit the window of Hanabi's studio making its signature pitter patter sound. However the sound was neither calming to the nerves nor bearable to Ramuda.
"Where could they possibly be? It has been hours! In this storm that pushover will surely catch a cold..."
Was the most prominent thought running through Ramuda's head. But why? That was a question he could not answer.
Earlier that day Hanabi had gone out saying they're going to get "something really special" and simply left without further elaboration.
Of course Ramuda could care less where Hanabi had ran off to, simply continuing to practice sewing as Hanabi had taught him. Time, however, always brings the truth in a situation out. The hours passed with Hanabi nowhere to be found and a storm had picked up. Hanabi, of course, hadn't taken an umbrella or even a simple raincoat with them.
Within those hours Ramuda experienced some strange sensations. A pain in his chest, a swirling in his head about Hanabi and, worst of all, an unexplainable emptiness.
The once bright and colourful outfits, which decorated the walls of the studio, seemed but mundane and dull fabrics. Their fabricated warmth of colour was unlike their creator's, like a painting which didn't capture the subject just right.
"It must be the rain making the lighting seem off" was the most logical conclusion Ramuda could come to.
Whatever else could it really be? Someone like him couldn't experience emotion. He was simply a tool meant to follow orders, a husk of the person he borrowed his visage from.
A sudden pang in his head stopped all thought. All this thinking had caused him a striking headache, so for the remainder of time waiting he decided to just stop all thought and push these strange sensations away.
No soon had his headache started to dispense than he heard the sound of the door opening.
"Ramuda, I'm home!"
Hanabi practically yelled in a sing-song voice.
"Oh wow you're actually back, I really thought the storm must have washed you up on some alley by now" replied Ramuda
"Hey now, that's no way to treat someone that went all the way to the other side of Shibuya to get you some candy!" Hanabi said, pulling two bags of candy from their bag.
"This new store opened the other day and I heard they have some of the best candy! They sell out very quick tho so I had to grab them first thing in the morning!"
To that Ramuda raised an eyebrow.
"Candy? What could I possibly need candy for? I'm completely fine."
"Silly, you don't need a reason to eat candy! You simply do it because it's enjoyable! I personally really like to eat candy while designing, so I brought you some too! They do say that snacks taste better with company after all."
'Enjoyable' was a term Ramuda hardly understood. Doing things simply for the amusement of one's self wasn't something he had really done. Yea there was people watching, but that was simply a way to pass time, so was it truly an enjoyment?
Before he could answer that however...
"Ramuda, come on! We have to try this candy together!"
"You sure are pushy, huh"
"I've told many times before that all designers are pushy, now come sit on the couch and help me unwrap these!"
Ramuda sighed, reluctantly sitting on the couch besides Hanabi. How could they just casually sit and eat candy for no purpose? Maybe they got hurt while out in the storm and this helps? Obviously Hanabi wouldn't want to show weakness so they lied and said it's for 'amusement'...
"Hello! Earth to Ramuda, Ramuda you there?"
"What do you want?" Ramuda immediately snapped back, having been interrupted from his thoughts.
"You haven't touched yours yet! I know I'm pretty but looking at me eat can't be that entertaining!"
Immediately Hanabi took one candy from his pile and put it against Ramuda's lips.
"Come on! They're super good!"
Ramuda hesitated for a moment. He looked at Hanabi then the candy then Hanabi again. With no other option, he opened his mouth allowing himself to eat the small confectionery.
"So? How is it?" Asked Hanabi immediately
To say 'Good' would be an understatement. It wasn't quite like any store-bought candy he had ever had. It was sweet, yes, but it also had flavours of strawberry and peach. It wasn't as hard as any candy he had, it clearly was very fresh. It's core was filled with a sweet strawberry syrup. Its flavour still lingered in his mouth after the initial taste and he simply couldn't help wanting more. Not that he would ever admit to it however.
"It's ok"
"Just ok? Come on I could really use some constructive criticism here so I know what flavours to get next time!"
With a sigh Ramuda replied;
"It's sweet, yes, but not overtly. The undertones of peach mix well with the strawberry syrup in middle. It's also very soft and melts in your mouth. Is that enough for you?"
"Yup! Wow Ramuda I should make you a critic for my next designs, you're really able to pick apart the flavour so quickly it's impressive!"
Of course he has to be able to make quick deductions, well quicker than humans that is. The compliment however lingered in his mind for a bit longer than usual. Weird.
"You're zoning off so much today. I can tell because you make this awe struck expression everytime you zone out looking at me instead of straight up ignoring me like you usually do."
Hanabi was right, he was zoning out quite a bit. Being with Hanabi made him think weird. It made him experience ardour that seemed sickening at the same time.
"Got so much on your mind you can't even reply? Pfft you're so funny you know, Ramuda. First you come here saying that you don't even know how to smile yet the way you were looking after eating that candy earlier? I can only describe that look in your eyes as a smile. You might not realize it but you've improved. A lot. And I'm not just talking about sewing or designing, I mean that you as a person have grown. You're expressing more and more feelings in your own way and I can even tell you're somewhat warming up to me too!"
Hanabi paused for a moment, as if thinking of how to word their next sentence.
"You know I brought this candy over as a way for us to celebrate that, to celebrate you. You mean a lot to me and I just felt like it was the right thing to do, you know?"
The whole time Hanabi was talking all Ramuda could do was stare and listen. Feelings? He was experiencing feelings? There was no way, Hanabi must have misunderstood. He can't feel. Only humans can feel. Yet somehow all the strange things he 'felt' aligned with the meaning of 'emotion'. With the meaning of 'worry' when Hanabi hadn't returned for hours and 'happiness' when Hanabi complimented him. Just when did he become so human like?
And not only that but Hanabi actually brought candy as a way to celebrate that?
"Hanabi what do you usually feel when you're around me?" Was all Ramuda could reply with.
"Many things! All positive I promise. For example when you get a new sewing pattern right I feel 'pride' and 'happiness'. Or when you model for my clothes I feel a sense of 'admiration' at how natural you look posing. And well I can't help also feeling a sense of 'deep affection' in general when I'm around you, it can even be described as 'infatuation'. I'm 'infatuated' by watching you grow and learning more and more about you everyday. "
"I see. I also... 'feel' positively about you" the word didn't seem right coming out of his mouth, as if it was never even said before.
"I'm very glad to hear that! Well then, let's celebrate to your positive feelings! We still have all this candy to go through and it'd be a shame wasting it, so let's put it to good use!"
And that's what they did. They spent a night filled with feelings and candy. Ramuda, while still not used to 'feeling', started to accept that maybe Hanabi made him feel things. That them sitting and chatting about idle things while eating candy made him feel 'happy'. Maybe candy could heal not only the body but the soul as well.