Work Text:
"Is Yoshiki here ?"
This was the first thing 'Hikaru' shouted as he walked inside Yoshiki's place, his mom being the one to welcome the teen and point to the kitchen.
"He's in there ."
'Hikaru' left his shoes at the entrance then headed to said kitchen, with the Manga volume Yoshiki lent him, in his hand.
"Told ya i'll return it once i'm done reading it, see how i didn't forget-"
"Leave it in my room ."
'Hikaru' didn't walk inside the kitchen, nor did he go to Yoshiki's room, he stood there, dumbfounded at the sight.
"The heck's going on here ???"
Yoshiki, with an apron on, standing by the kitchen counter and handling multiple kitchen utensils, gave a glance to his guest then went back to what he was doing.
"Learning how to cook in case i end up moving to Tokyo ."
"Ya seem confident ya did well in the entrance exams ."
"I'm not confident at all, but just in case .."
"Look at ya acting all insecure, as if ya didn't ace it ."
'Hikaru' put the Manga volume aside and totally forgot about it, all his attention on Yoshiki who seemed to be done with his cooking.
"Don't wanna have mom taste them she's too strict ."
With a grin, 'Hikaru' took seat at the dining table, ready to have an early dinner.
"Well then, the duty falls on i, 'Hikaru', to taste your food and bestow my judgement upon it ."
"I beg you not have high expectations, your highness ."
The two laughed, 'Hikaru' eyeing the plates Yoshiki gave him, they were nothing too sophisticated, just foods any college student could prepare in little time.
'Hikaru' didn't wait to dig in, Yoshiki taking the seat facing his and smiling at the sight.
"The fried shrimp and chicken are on point, just like the pasta, the sauce may be simple but it's tasty, the seasoning for the salad could be better and the omurice ... is perfection !"
"Ya don't have to be that generous, i can take criticism ."
"No i mean it ! Here, have some ."
Yoshiki ate the rice he was given, trying not to mind the fact that the spoon in his mouth right now was inside 'Hikaru's mouth a minute ago.
"It's ... decent i guess, i could work on the presentation though ."
"Who cares about that ? It'll look the same inside the stomach anyway ."
"What kinda logic is that ?"
Yoshiki chuckled, happy that 'Hikaru' enjoyed his food and finished everything he was given.
"Thanks for the meal ."
The plates were soon in the sink, Yoshiki washed them while listening to 'Hikaru's remark.
"Why would ya go through all that when ya can just get yerself a girlfriend tho ? Girls are better at cooking in general ."
"That sounds kinda misogynistic ."
'Hikaru' covered his mouth, realizing how awful what he said sounded now that he thought of it a second time.
"Besides, some of the biggest chefs in the world are men so yer argument doesn't stand ."
"Here he goes, getting into his argumentative mode ..." 'Hikaru' didn't argue back, listening to Yoshiki's last point.
"And the most important part is, i can't get a girlfriend ."
"Ya keep saying that, but why ?"
Yoshiki was not going to answer that question, he eyed the plate in his hand, then dodged the question with another one.
"Is that what ya'd do if ya ever live on yer own then ? Ya'll just get a girlfriend to cook for ya ?"
"I don't need to do that, did ya forget, i'm a monster who doesn't need to eat ."
That last part was said in 'Hikaru's real, distorted voice, sending chills down Yoshiki's spine, he turned to look at him, still frightened.
"That was not necessary !!"
'Hikaru' laughed at his reaction while Yoshiki let out a sigh, glad his family was in the living room, busy watching the loud TV.
"How about ya quit yapping and come give me a hand with these plates ?"
"Sure ."
Yoshiki turned his attention to the sink, listening to 'Hikaru's steps come closer but he totally didn't expect to have 'Hikaru' stand behind him, chest against back, his arms wrapped around Yoshiki's waist.
"Here ya go~"
A yelp escaped Yoshiki's mouth, a dark blush painting his cheeks, though, he continued washing the dishes, trying to hide his embarrassement and speak with the most monotone voice.
"How is that supposed to help ?"
"I'm giving ya good vibes~"
Yoshiki bit his inner cheek, he was about to say something he shouldn't, he wanted to stop himself, but he couldn't.
"What if ... i need those good vibes once i'm in Tokyo ?"
"Then just gimme a call and i'll fly to ya and give ya all the good vibes and moral support ya'll need ."
The wish he repressed to the back of his mind, chose to resurface after so long, and it didn't want to simply linger in his thoughts, it wanted to be said, shouted outloud, Yoshiki couldn't fight that urge for the life of him.
"Why give ya a call when ya can just-"
... and Kaoru had to come inside the kitchen at that exact moment.
Yoshiki shut up, panicked, using wet hands on the arms around his waist to push 'Hikaru' away from him, his heart was racing, he moved away and headed to the fridge, as if he needed something there. He only wanted to face his sister with his back.
Kaoru gave them a questioning look, especially at 'Hikaru's too fake, suspicious laugh, but she said no word, taking what she needed and leaving right after.
'Hikaru's eyes drifted to Yoshiki who was back at the sink, it wasn't hard to tell that he was annoyed and 'Hikaru' could guess what the reason was. He scratched the back of his head, wearing an apologetic smile.
"Was that .. something i shouldn't do with others around ?"
"That's something ya shouldn't do with just anyone in the first place ."
"But ya aren't just anyone ..."
Yoshiki didn't expect that answer, before he could think of it, he found himself turned around, eyes locked with 'Hikaru's, for a second he almost asked What am i to ya then .. ? but he already knew 'Hikaru's answer. In frustration, he went back to what he was doing.
To 'Hikaru', that silence sounded like annoyance, so he opted for his typical solution, apologize, leave, and wait for things to smoothly go back to usual.
"I ... sorry for that, i'll just leave ..."
Yoshiki realized there was a misunderstanding but he wasn't sure how to address it, he didn't want 'Hikaru' to leave with this bitter feeling nevertheless, following him to the doorway while stuttering his words.
"I .. will get the last volume ... of the Manga ya read i mean .. next week, so ya can ... come and read it ..."
"I will. How about the results of yer entrance exam, when will they come out ?"
"Tomorrow ..."
'Hikaru' wore his shoes and pulled the door open but didn't leave right away, turning towards Yoshiki and acting as if nothing happened earlier.
"Ya nervous ?"
"I'm not ."
'Hikaru' chuckled, feeling the need to pinch Yoshiki's nose for his obvious lie but he chose not to, believing he should learn how to keep his hands to himself.
Yoshiki on the other hand, remembered his wish, the one he was about to say in the kitchen, he rolled it in his mouth, it weighed on him, he wanted to spit it out, but all he did was gulp and shut up at 'Hikaru's next line.
"Then let's celebrate once ya get the results ."
After a quick wave, 'Hikaru' took his leave while Yoshiki stood there and watched the closed door, heartbroken at the thought that 'Hikaru' didn't, not even once, seem to care about him leaving.